Some Quick Summer Thoughts
Like sun tea, things are brewing, with more to share soon.
I know we’re all saying it, but it’s the truth: summer is busy and it’s going too fast and I really would make great use of a second July.
And yet here we are in August, with the planning part of my mind starting to look ahead to the academic year and another part holding off on looking farther than the present day.
I had more at-home activities planned for my kids than they needed this summer, and it’s a joy to see them content to read, play board games, make things, and swim as long as I’ll let them. I’m aware that things won’t stay like this forever and doing my best to appreciate all the things that make this season what it is. (I could use some help appreciating the bickering, but there it is.)
Some updates
Once this newsletter is scheduled, I’ll start reviewing proofs for my debut picture book, due out in the spring. Last week I saw a cover image as well. It’s all so lovely and vibrant, colorful and fun. I’m looking forward to sharing it soon!
What I’m reading
Saturday morning I’m slated to complete my second full read of the Divine Comedy (more below at CatholicMom.com). I’m amazed that I managed two readings in just over a year, but it’s a testament to accountability (in the form of classwork) and encouragement from others who have shared the power of their experience reading this work.
Before my last (!!) graduate class begins in a couple of weeks, I’m hoping to read some essays by Ann Patchett and a biography of Mister Rogers I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m also reading advanced copies of Randy Boyagoda’s debut YA novel and Rod Dreher’s newest book with Zondervan.
What my kids are reading
My fourth child learned to read about a year ago, but in the last few weeks things really took off for him. I credit, in part, our library’s summer reading program, which ditched the toys this year (hooray!) and now offers only books and raffle tickets as prizes for every three hours spent reading. We’ve added some solid books to our shelves, and he’s excited about reading them. He read Freckle Juice in one day and then told me he was “challenging” himself to read a slightly longer book the following day. Win.
Something I love
I’m part of a writers’ group with a couple of other students in the MFA program, and we met online recently to catch up and talk about a novel we’d all read. Such a great way to spend a Saturday morning. I’m so grateful that this program brought us together. We’ll start our critiques again in the fall.
What I’m creating (knitting, lettering, embroidery, etc.)
Not much to report here, but I have plans for returning to watercolor when I’m at the beach—or as we say in these parts, down the shore.
Where my work is
CatholicMom.com: Daily Gospel Reflection
CatholicMom.com: “A Canto a Day”
WINE: “Learning to Be a Pilgrim of Hope”
What I’m working on
So many things, I’m happy to say! I’ve been editing pieces for Verily’s next print issue, including the winners of the flash fiction contest—what a joy.
As a writer, I have upcoming deadlines for Word on Fire,Verily, CatholicMom.com, OSV’s new magazine, and WINE. Many of the deadlines are intentionally set for after the start of the school year so I can spend as much time before then with the kiddos as possible.
A quote to sit and sip with
I hold that mind as best that holds our world
for least, and I consider truly wise
the man who turns his thoughts to other things.
—Paradiso, XXII, 136-138, translated by Mark Musa